THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has cleared the ordinance in place of the Kerala Goods and Services Tax Bill 2017. The Cabinet meet on Wednesday recommended the Governor promulgate the ordinance. Kerala was hoping the Centre would defer GST rollout by one month. However, the decision to bring in an ordinance was taken with the Centre gearing up to roll out the new tax regime from July.
“The state was expecting the Union Government to extend it for one more month. However, with the new tax structure coming up in July, the government decided to introduce an ordinance and later get it cleared in the Assembly,” a source said. Parliament had passed the GST Bill in August 2016. Following this, the GST council had asked the state governments to pass the state Bill by May. As many as 24 states have passed the State Goods and Services Tax law so far.
Aid to renovate house of Gulati
In a major decision, the state government will provide financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh to renovate the house of the late economist and planner I S Gulati. Assistance will be given to renovate the house and construct a protection wall.
Currently Gulati’s wife Leela Gulati stays there. The iconic house of the former economist got partially damaged after a major portion collapsed due to excavation in an adjacent plot. With the issue courting controversy, a couple of ministers and the district administration had intervened.
The district administration had decided to demolish the structure and construct a new house.